Homebound

Chapter 30

          "So, that was your mom at the yearly festival when we were fourteen. She didn't want to go because Robert would be there and she had a pimple." Laura explains a photo she is holding. Since Asher can't do much, he took the liberty to look at photos. It doesn't require much work, and he could spend time with Laura.

           "Where?" Asher brings the photo to his face to see if he could see it.

           "Exactly. It was non-existent." Laura laughs at her best friend's paranoia.

           "When was this taken?" Asher's heart swells. "I love this photo! Look at her smile! It's infectious." He holds up a photo with Delilah caught mid laughter. Her eyes were closed and her hands were clenching her sides.

           "That's one of my favorite pictures of her. It captures her essence. She was a happy person and ensured that the people around her were happy. She was a beautiful person. Not only on the outside. She tended to be dramatic for everything, but her flamboyant nature got her places. People couldn't help but notice her. Instead of the attention-getting to her head, she remained a humble person. She knew she was gorgeous, smart, and talented. However, she wasn't an egomaniac. One time..."

            "Laura!" Delilah screamed.

           "What?" She came in running from her room, afraid and concerned. "Is everything alright?"

           "Of course. Hurry up; the party is going to start soon." Delilah smirked, running her hand through her sleek hair. 

          "And you had to shriek like that?" Laura asks, slipping her shoes on.

          "Well, if I didn't, you wouldn't have come! It's a foolproof plan." Delilah hugged her friend as a peace treaty before dragging her to her car. 

          Ten minutes later, they arrived at their destination. Delilah was greeted by everyone, and she returned each with a bright smile. The party literally started when they arrived. The music was raised louder, more people were dancing, and the alcohol was brought out. Laura didn't appreciate this cliche teen gathering, but Delilah wanted to go. She was extroverted and thrived during these meetings. Laura always lost Delilah in the crowd. There was no point in searching for her, so she stayed in the corner of the room. She scoped the scene around her. That was the only enjoyable thing to do in these events. One group caught Laura's attention and dread filled her. Delilah seemed to be in an argument with some queen bee.

          "Not this again," Laura muttered. Delilah managed to get into a brawl again.

           "Just because your daddy's rich, doesn't mean you own the whole damn world. Leave Allan alone. He came to have fun." Delilah hissed.

           "What's it to you? You don't even know him. Mind your business." The other girl scoffed.

            "I don't need to know Allan to stop the harassment. I hate bullies, and that's enough." Delilah crossed her arms to stop herself from slapping the blonde bimbo.

             "Let's forget about it, babe. They're not worth it." A jock grabbed his girlfriend's arm to lead her away.

             "Of course you side with Delilah! If you like her so much, why don't you date her?" The blonde girl raged as she was walked away with her boyfriend.

           "Good riddance!" Delilah stuck her tongue out. "Are you alright, Allan?" She asked the nerdy freshman.

            "You didn't have to do that for me. It always happens." The boy smile, but it wasn't genuine.